Indiana Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students

Whether you choose to attend an Indiana community college, like Ivy Tech Community College, or a major research university, like Purdue University in West Lafayette, you can do it with the help of the federal government, the state of Indiana, and scholarship-granting organizations. Students attending post-secondary institutions in Indiana may have the choice of grants, loans, and a large amount of scholarships. All it takes is a little time and a little researching.

Four Types of Indiana Scholarships and Financial Aid

Indiana scholarships and financial can be divided into four main groups:

Federal grants and loans (PELL Grant, Stafford Loan)

Indiana state scholarships

University and college scholarships in Indiana

Outside Scholarships from individuals, corporations and businesses, and organizations

Federal Grants and Loans for Indiana Students

Indiana students who have financial need may be eligible to receive grants and low-interest loans from the U.S. government. To see if you qualify, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are available January 1, the year before you need the aid. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible since federal aid programs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The federal deadline is June 30 the year in which you need the aid. The Indiana state FAFSA deadline is March 10, Central Standard Time.

Your school’s financial aid/scholarship office will determine the amount of money you need after receiving your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is calculated using the family income and savings you reported on your FAFSA application. You may receive a financial aid package with grants, which do not have to be paid back, and loans, which do have to be paid back.

If you are not offered a financial aid package, you may still be eligible to borrow from a private lender. Talk to financial aid officers at your school’s financial aid and/or scholarship office.

Scholarships Offered By Indiana

Indiana financial aid includes state-supported scholarships. You may qualify for these programs:

Nina Mason Pullium Legacy Scholars
This program provides support for nontraditional students who are (1) adolescents of the child welfare system, (2) adults 25 years or more, (3) or youths with physical disabilities. Students may receive a maximum of six years of financial assistance, which includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and an annual stipend of $2,500. Only students from these campuses are eligible: Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis campus), Indiana University, and Purdue University (Indianapolis campus). See your financial aid/scholarship office for applications.

Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship is available to U.S. citizens who are also Indiana residents. Applicants must be accepted to a nursing program in an accredited post-secondary institution. Those accepted must commit to working for two years in an Indian healthcare location upon graduation. Click “here”:http://www.in.gov/ssaci/2368.htm for a list of participating institutions. Click here to download an application.

Minority Teacher/Special Services Scholarship
This scholarship is available to full time minority (African American/Black or Hispanic/Latino) students who are U.S. citizens and Indiana residents. Students must be enrolled in a teacher certification program or physical therapy certification program. This scholarship is administered by individual university and college financial aid offices. Check here to see a list of participating schools. You can download the application here.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
This merit-based scholarship is federally funded and offers $1,500 to students who score a minimum SAT score of 1300, a minimum ACT score of 26, or a minimum GED score of 620. Applications are offered through high school counseling offices and are due April 26.

Child of Veteran and Public Safety Officer Supplemental Grant Program
This grant is offered as a supplement to other financial aid programs and may cover up to full tuition costs. To qualify, students must be children of Indiana veterans, police officers, or Indiana National Guard officers killed or disabled in action. To apply for this program, down an application here or request an application from the Military Department of Indiana.

Individual Indiana University and College Scholarships

Individual universities and colleges in Indiana offer scholarships to students enrolled in their school. Scholarships are offered based on academic achievement, need, ethnic background, leadership/community service, special abilities, major, and any combination of these. For example, Indiana Tech offers the Engineering Scholarship to engineering majors, and Indiana University Bloomington offers the Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholars Program to incoming freshmen students who are high academic achievers.

Many scholarships based on merit are offered through a university or college’s admissions office and do not require additional applications. All you have to do is submit your application for admission on time and you will automatically be considered. Indiana University Bloomington does this with their Automatic Academic Scholarships.

Scholarships based on other criterions may require additional applications. For example, most scholarships awarded by Indiana State University are department-supported scholarships. Students must contact their departments for further information and applications.

Some universities require a general scholarship application for all scholarships. Indiana Tech and Ivy Tech Community College—Central Indiana does this. You should check with your school’s financial aid/scholarship office to see what they require.

Outside Scholarships Available to Indiana Students

Individuals, local businesses, corporations, and organizations in Indiana offer scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education. Here’s a list of some Indiana scholarships you may qualify for:

2000 Northeast Indiana Engineers
Scholarships are available to students pursuing a degree in engineering technology. Request an application from 4130 N. Washington Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804-1822.

Indiana Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Fund
Members of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association and their children and grandchildren are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be Indiana residents and be enrolled at an Indiana university or college, pursuing a career in law-enforcement. Call 1-800-622-4779 or write to Indiana Sheriff’s Association, Inc., Post Office Box 19127, Indianapolis, IN 46219 for an application.

Three Things to Keep in Mind When Searching for Indiana Financial Aid and Scholarships

Even if you don’t get a financial aid package from your school, you might still be able to borrow money from the government to help you finance your education. Talk to a financial aid adviser to see if you qualify for a Stafford or Stafford PLUS loan.

Indiana scholarships offered through individual universities and colleges usually require specific application procedures. Check with your financial aid/scholarship office to see what they are.

Indiana community foundations offer hundreds of scholarships for local students. See if you live near a community foundation, whether it be in Southern Indiana, Central Indiana, or Northern Indiana.